British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the continental title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the silence became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.
